Forza or QA-1 adjustable coilovers

I went with the QA-1 shocks and QA-1 1" extended eyelets ("paperweights") as the most economic upgrade. I bought the optional needle bearing assy for the shocks to make adjustments easier. I had to machine a notch in the upper eyelets to clear the upper control arms which I had just powder coated and was not keen to modify. I made the adapter bushings to go from the 3/4" eyes to the 12mm bolts, this is a rather simple turned part. Got 275 lb springs (I have 250 lb on the back which is entirely 355 OEM and the fronts were stock 308 GTSi at 175lb but had been cut down a coil or two). The QA-1 coilovers, with the 1" extended eyelets, were about 1/2" shorter out of the car than the stock setup but with the stronger springs, so I don't expect much lowering. My car was already low, if anything too low, sitting on 18" 355 Speedline Allesio wheels. Will post that outcome later, along with some photos. The parts cost was under $600 for for the front pair of coilovers, including the extensions and a 10 pack of 3/4" heavy circlips from Zoro, not including the adapter bushings that I made myself. I made them from DOM round stock but you can get 3/4 od, 12mm id stainless tubing for next to nothing on Amazon which requires no machining other than the grooves for the circlips. You could use fat washers in place of the washer/circlip sandwich, or a stack of 12mm washers if you don't have a lathe.

I replaced the control arm bushings and ARB rubbers at the same time. I used the Nick Forza bushings which were around $200 for the set of 8, and have the advantage of reusing the OEM outer sleeves that are tack welded to the control arms. I had to make a special tool to drive out the old bushings, which also served to drive in the new ones.

I replaced the steering arm bellows even though there were no leaks apparent .. they were original I think. The passenger side peed quite a bit of gear oil when I removed it, so I think I will need to top up but find no obvious way to do that. They were very cheap from AW Italian, not OEM. I got all the ARB stuff from them as well. All $ reasonable as are other items I have purchased from them for this project.

At the same time I installed the Superformance large front brake kit. These rotors are the same size at the 355 rotors on the back (325mm). This kit was reasonable given the custom nature things and the F factor, about $1200 landed including stainless braided hoses and pads. Helpful people even if the kit comes with no instructions at all.

When I have sold all the OEM stuff and the bushing puller that I made, I expect I will have very little net parts cost.

 

The dimensions of the adapter bushings ... .750 OD, . 470 ID (12 mm), 1.800 long. The bushing protrudes .165" on either side of the shock eye so you need to position the circlip/washer accordingly, or use washer(s) that give you that total thickness. If machining circlip grooves, best have those on hand as they vary in thickness and depth of cut. You can of course just buy the set from Unobtainium, they are available in sets of 8 which is sufficient for all 4 shocks. I only needed 4 so I just made them, I had some round stock on hand that was close to final dimension.

 

Well I made two, one to pull the entire OEM bushing after cutting the tack welds (decided not to do that); and one to pull just the internals after cutting off the outside flange (easy way using Forza bushings which you can also buy from the manufacturer without the outer shell). The former is on ebay right now together with a set of 8 OEM style bushings under seller id bloodsport; the latter is available free for yelcab as I owe him for being a good guy, or $50 shipped for anyone else. I am also open to trades, I need a steering rack cover plate (with the shark gills).

 

some photos of the various subjects discussed, ignore the last photo it's my old honda dirtbike can't figure out how to remove that.

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One final note, since my car only had circa 35K on it, the ball joints were all OK but the rubbers were not. I was able to get replacement rubbers (black) for the upright from Superformance and they worked ok, perhaps a little short. After I got those I found some generics that worked great for the tie rod ends, they are blue, but I had to wait a while as they came from one of those eastern european countries bulgaria I think. At the same time I found some taller generics in matching blue for the ball joints but I had already used the Superformance ones so those I will be happy to give to anyone who wants to tell me (and the rest of us) how they fit. They may be a bit tight at the large end but since they are silicone rubber they have lots of stretch. If they fit then maybe there will be sufficient interest to import a larger quantity for the 308/mondial crowd. I suspect 90% of the ball joint replacements done today are done because the rubbers are shot, not the internals, as these cars don't see a lot of miles with notable exceptions.
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I sent the second bushing puller to yelcab along with the blue boots and await his findings with regard to the suitability of these silicone boots for the 308 etc suspension ball joints. If they work well I will order a quantity and make them available along with matching tie rod end boots. Maybe also some stainless metric inserts for the QA1 shock eyes.

 

Got some black ball joint rubbers as well .. they look more like the originals (rather wide and flat)
(both bushing pullers have now gone to good homes)
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